Pick the Right Giveaways for Your Trade Show

Pick the Right Giveaways for Your Trade Show

Business, Trade Show

Giveaways are the sprinkles on a trade show – they are not needed but they make things more colorful and memorable. The question is what type of giveaways do you want to give out. Here are the three main questions to help you decide what to choose and some examples. 

What does your target market need/ what will they use?

You are not at the trade show to reach every person attending, you want to reach your target market – so pick a giveaway that will resonate with them. When you are having meetings with them – in person or virtual – take a look at what is on their desk or around them.

Example: Your target market is gardeners – giveaway nice gardening gloves or neck coolers. 

Your target market is busy moms – giveaway a mini quick spa kit that allows them to have “me” time in their busy schedule.

What is the reason for the giveaways?

You should have a reason for the giveaway. Is it to collect leads, draw people to your booth, or to increase brand awareness? Know what you want to do with the giveaway. There are always the people who walk around looking to fill up their bag (or even wagon) with as much stuff as possible. This happens more at consumer based shows verses professional shows. If you are at a consumer show candy is a great option to set out. This allows you to have a giveaway for everyone without having to put out a ton of money. 

Example: Are you looking to get social media interactions? Ask people to post a picture of them at the booth and tag you to get one of the giveaways. Here is how to use your promotions the right way.

Example: If you are looking to collect leads, make sure you scan everyone before you hand out the giveaways.

What is your budget?

Once you have the above questions, then you can start your search for items that fall within your budget. 

Some things to look for that are not included in the pricing on most sites. 

Logo cost – there is normally a one time fee for the company to take your logo and put it into the right format. This can be from $20 – $80. 

Shipping Cost – Shipping is almost always extra. Some places will estimate the shipping for you, others will wait until check out. 

If you cannot find an item that you like to give out to everyone – consider doing one or two large gifts that you raffle away to those who are in your lead system or give you their information. 

Example: If you are at a womens conference, you can give away a Coach purse. 

Example: If you are at a hunting show, giveaway a very nice cooler. 

Some items to consider when looking at giveaways

  • Some items have some assembly required.
    • I was at a booth that was giving away these great flashlights. They came individually wrapped and when I tried to turn them on in the packaging – none of them would turn on. I opened a package and discovered that each flashlight had a piece of plastic on top of the battery that had to be taken out for them to turn on. We had 250 of them. I spent at least 3 hours unpacking them, unscrewing the battery compartment, removing the plastic, and ensuring that they worked. 
  • Where will you place the items that are not on display?
    • If you get large items like water bottles, you need space in your booth to hide them, or you can pay for accessible storage. 
  • What are you doing with any leftovers?
    • I rarely suggest branding items for specific shows unless you know that you will give them all out. Having your company branding allows you to use items at many shows or even give to clients as gifts. 
Getting the Most Out of a Trade Show as an Attendee

Getting the Most Out of a Trade Show as an Attendee

Business, Non-Profit, Trade Show

Trade shows are an investment. Learn how to get the most out of them when attending with our 6 tips. 

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    Navigating Everyone’s Wishes while Event Planning

    Navigating Everyone’s Wishes while Event Planning

    Business, Events, Non-Profit, Trade Show

    Event planning in general is not easy, our goal is to make everyone enjoy the event if not feel genuinely happy – and you can never make everyone happy. It is a constant dichotomy that is at play. So how do you manage everyone’s competing wishes? 

    I set people and their wishes into different tiers and use that as my hierarchy of event needs. 

    Tier One: The Client

    The person who is hiring me is the person that I listen to the most. If I have been hired by an organization or committee, I have them appoint a point of contact and decision maker. I did an event recently where the CEO wanted to make some changes at the event (think 15 minutes before we started to serve food), and I still turned to my point of contact to approve those changes. I am happy to shift things on the fly and a good event planner can make miracles happen but I do not take direction from just anyone. 

    Tier Two: People with Major Allergies, Medical Accommodations, or Religious Restrictions

    I always bring up food allergies and ask if anyone will need any special accommodations. I want to make every one who is attending feel welcome and to enjoy the event. Vegetarian options are easy but knowing about major food allergies and conveying that to the caterer is crucial. Also, do you need a sign language interpreter? Do we need to make sure that we have wheel chair accessible spaces? Do we have people who cannot eat certain food due to their religion? I want the host to tell me about their guests and how we can make sure they all enjoy the event. Learn to avoid Event Food Pitfalls here. 

    Tier Three: The VIP’s

    Events often come with a VIP Tier and these people pay extra to be treated well. I am not changing the menu for them or having the caterer make special food, but I will bring out extra bread and ensure that they receive a higher level or service. 

    Tier Four: Everyone Else

    The guests at the event are there to enjoy, but we cannot please everyone. If you are serving soda, people will complain about the type. The key is apologizing for the inconvenience and then offering alternatives. You also get very good at seeing who just wants to complain, who is trying to flirt with the servers, and who has a genuine concern. 

    Their tier system allows you to know when to make major changes and when to just move on. Knowing who your main client and stakeholders are is the key. 

    Remember that not even an ice cream shop can make everyone happy – some people don’t like ice cream, others will want a flavor that isn’t offered, and others will be angry about where the milk came from. 

    Your job when planning an event is to make the client happy and as many of the guests as possible. 

    After Trade Show Hours – Your Job Isn’t Done When the Floor Closes

    After Trade Show Hours – Your Job Isn’t Done When the Floor Closes

    Business, Events, Trade Show

    A trade show is not done until everything is packed up and you are on your way home. If it is a multi day show, your job and marketing lasts long after the trade show floor hours. The hours after the trade show floor closes are precious and you need to use them. Here are the ways you can. 

    Breakfast Meetings

    Grabbing a cup or coffee with a prospect or customers is an underused opportunity. 30 minutes can help to close a deal, understand pain points, or clear up a misunderstanding. 

    People often drop their guard more during a breakfast also. Breakfast is often a personal or family time so people are more relaxed. You need to use this time to your advantage. 

    Group Outings/ Activities

    If you have a smaller budget, skip the expensive dinners and unlimited bar tabs. Consider taking a mixed group of prospects and customers to go carts, on an exclusive tour, or any other activities. 

    You will stand out from the crowd, mingle more than a sit down dinner, and save money. To learn more about help planning out of town events read here. 

    After Hours Party

    If you have the budget and the team to work it. After hours parties for clients and prospects can have a great ROI. You keep people away from your competitors and your sales people can get to know your guests in a less formal environment. 

    Limiting the type and level of liquor can help keep you on budget. Offer signature cocktails to give the event a more branded feel.

    Hang Out at the Bar

    Those chance meetings while relaxing after the show in the bar can turn into great conversations and opportunities. 

    For the money you are spending at trade shows, you need to take advantage of every opportunity to talk to your customers and prospects. 

    How to Set Up a Scholarship That Will Last

    Business, Non-Profit

    Scholarships are a great way to help people and to use the money you raise. It is also a great way to look into the future. Here are the way to put together a scholarship that will last and that will grow.

    Before you get into budgeting and even fundraising for the scholarship you need to decide who is going to administer the scholarship and the type of person who you want to receive it. These are the questions to ask. 

    • Who are you going to give the money to?
      • Write out the profile of the person you wish to support. Are they male or female? Are they in high school or college? What qualifies them for this scholarship?
    • How do they earn the money?
      • Do they have to submit an essay? A video? Do they have to have a certain GPA? Do they need to be under a certain income level? Do they need to have worked within your organization? 
      • You can change and update this but having a clear idea of what you want them to do is a crucial part. 
    • Who will administer the scholarship?
      • Will you have an elected committee? Will you have an outside scholarship administrator? Will you bring in people from the community to judge the scholarship but then have the finances internally? How will changes be made and who can make them? Who will be able to sign checks?

    Once you have answered these questions then you need to figure out what your budget will be. Now this is the hard part because you can decided to just give $500 every year out of your budget but what happens in a lean year? What happens if you don’t have the money?

    To make sure that your scholarship lasts, you need to plan for the long term. That means setting aside more money that you need each year into a savings or a fund. You should talk with a financial advisor about the best vehicle for you and your organization. But if you put $1000 away each year and give out a $500 scholarship then you will be years ahead. You will be able to eventually give out more scholarships or larger amounts. Learning how to manage your lean months will help you put this money away.

    I know that it is tempting to give away all the money that you can each year, but if you can set some aside and put some into savings, you will be able to help more people in the future and for longer.